Let me introduce you to something a little different.
Here is my vase with a few of my gorgeous Chrysanthemums plus some Parsley. I really have to search to find some good looking foliage to add in.
'Tarantula Red' |
'Avignon Pink' |
Some of these Tarantulas have droopy stems so I've cut them for myself. Most of them have sturdy stems and last for ages in a vase.
Staking has been difficult. Plants have grown enormous (I suddenly remember writing about this last year) and then topple over and the stems grown at odd angles which is no good for cutting. The odd kink is fine but right angles are no good. I must work out a better way of staking or perhaps pinch out more so the plants are not as tall.
They are all growing under cover. I know some other growers have lost their plants to frost even under cover. I've been lucky. Possibly as we are quite high here. Temperatures have been right down to zero even under cover.
Wandering the internet yesterday I found another spider type in caramel colours but I really shouldn't buy it, I don't have room...
Visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden to see what interesting things everyone has found to put In a Vase on Monday.
Stunning arrangement, Alison. Beautiful chrysanthemums - love the colours. The drooping heads of the Tarantula look good in the vase you have chosen. I think you won't be able to resist the caramel one.
ReplyDeleteThanks, no I probably won't!
DeleteYes, those are gorgeous. I love that spidery form.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's lovely and unusual, isn't it?
DeleteOh they are both most attractive Alison although 'Tarantula' appeals to me most. It is so aptly named. I imagine that when you say that they are growing undercover that they are in your polytunnel. Is it possible to grow them outdoors and take cuttings to overwinter in a greenhouse?
ReplyDeleteI have some in my poly tunnel and some in my inherited greenhouse. Some kinds can be grown outside and some are less hardy. I decided to put them all inside to limit any weather damage and they will flower for longer. You can certainly take cuttings and they take easily. That's why I have so many plants!
DeleteOh these are both so pretty, but not hardy I guess; ah well, in due course after gradually allowing their hardy cousins into the garden perhaps I will decide to permit the less hardy ones too, or perhaps not... Do you have orders for over winter, Alison? Will you do a post sometime about your business? It would be so intersting to find out how it is all going
ReplyDeleteAs above, some are hardy and some not. As I have these Chrysanths flowering I am still able to fulfil some orders but I need to plan for more to go with them next year. I will do a post about it, thanks for asking. It's been a huge learning journey.
DeleteThose flowers are spectacular, Alison. Mums have a bad rep here for good reason as all we ever see is the runt-sized little specimens but yours are a world apart. Maybe you should make up another name for them - or just call them by their cultivar names when you offer them for sale to make them sound as sexy as they look.
ReplyDeleteGood idea, a new name! Everyone who sees them loves them. Even people who don't think they like them. They are having a resurgence similar the the one dahlias have undergone. Hopefully they will arrive with you too.
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ReplyDeleteSo sad that people don't understand the beauty of Chrysanthemums...your arrangement just shows off these beauties. There are some magnificent forms...good gardeners with the right conditions miss out if they don't try them. Both these two cultivars are rather special. Do you have any sweet cicely...often the leaves are wonderful in a sheltered spot even during the winter.
ReplyDeleteI don't have Sweet Cicely but it's one of the things on my list. Thanks for the tip.
DeleteSimples e lindo. Feliz semana. Cumprimentos.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteThey really are lovely. And your parsley too! Makes me realise just how different the climate is here in Bavaria.
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